Broken

Chapter 33

"It's so nice to see you again Adelaide."

Michael pulled my chair out for me and I sat, setting my purse down at the floor and checking to make sure my blue patterned skirt didn't come up. I looked across the table to where his parents where sitting and I smiled.

"It's nice to see you too Robert." I replied. "Thanks for inviting."

"Oh any time." said. "You are always welcome."

"She better be." Michael joked, chuckling as he draped an arm around the back of my chair.

I got home with only minutes to spare after Harry dropped me off at my house after today's outing. My hair was probably still a mess from the wind and I think my hands smelled faintly of peanut butter. I was glad Michael hadn't asked where I had been because it was a big conflict I was desperate to avoid. I glanced around the restaurant, taking in my surroundings. It was dimly lit, the main source of light were small candles that made the centerpiece for every table. The atmosphere was calm and very collected, people laughing softly and making conversation over steaming plates of pasta and glasses filled with wine. It was very nice, all of it.

"Where is Ryder?" Michael asked, leaning forward a bit. I watched his mother shrug and Robert glance down at his watch.

"Who knows?" he said. "He should've been here twenty minutes ago."

Michael sighed, the sound full of disappointment and it took all of me not to roll my eyes. "Sounds like him."

"Sounds like who?"

I looked up to find Ryder standing at the end of the table, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He was wearing a black leather jacket over a black shirt, his jeans ripped at the knees.

"No one." Michael said, looking at him. "No one at all."

He eyed him for a few seconds, his eyes a dark piercing grey. Finally he grunted in reply before coming around to sit in the chair opposite of me. He took off his jacket and hung it over the back of the chair before turning back around.

"Adelaide, it's good to see you." he said, the edge that was just in his voice somewhat faded.

I smiled at him. "It's good to see you too Ryder." I replied.

I had finally warmed up to him, after seeing him all the time at the shop. I knew that Harry trusted him, so it gave me no reason not to. Ryder was a mystery that seemed to complicated to solve and too intriguing not to try. I noticed the long scar running up his arm and I frowned slightly. He must have seen me looking at it because he shifted, bringing it closer to the candle light.

"Accident I was in awhile back." He explained. "Had to get twenty stitches to patch it up right."

I blushed slightly, embarrassed that he felt the need to explain it to my curious eyes. I brought my arm forward, showing him my scar. "Car accident." I said. "Only had to get ten stitches."

He gave me a crooked smile, a slight twinkle in his eyes. "You're tough." he told me. "I'm impressed."

I grinned back. "You better be." I challenged. He laughed and winked, sitting back.

He was no doubt very attractive, both in looks and in personality. I admired him for trying to get his life back together.

"Enough about scars." Michael said. "It's time to eat."

A waitress came by with steaming plates of pasta and a basket of fresh garlic breadsticks. She set them down in front of all of us, and after an 'Enjoy your meal', she was gone again.